Training and Employment

Successes so far include:

Vulnerable ex-Service personnel who can find full employment stand a better chance of reintegrating into the community and living independently. Developing the confidence and new skills needed to return to work can be a challenge. For those of retirement age, or suffering from a disability, it is important to have access to occupations that will enhance self-esteem and offer meaningful activity and purpose. 

Many Veterans join the Services at a young age with very poor or no qualifications. They are then discharged without suitable skills for employment in civilian life and often find that their highly-specialised, non-transferrable skills are not helpful in finding work after discharge. Research shows that six months after leaving the forces 50% of Service leavers are in debt and do not have proper housing (King’s College:2006). With 20,000 Service personnel leaving the forces every year this represents a sizeable community, many of whom come to Stoll’s door. Stoll’s Employment and Training Service works with Veterans to identify what they want to achieve in life – and to make it happen.  Whether the individual wants to become a chef or a gardener, work in hospitality or become an entrepreneur, Stoll can facilitate this.

Apprenticeships

Through active partnerships with other agencies and employers our education and training arm provides a unique apprenticeship scheme. 

The scheme was initiated at Pryors Bank Café and has now expanded to other employers including the luxury W Hotel, in Central London’s Leicester Square. Executive Chef, Julian Ward, had previously worked with Stoll apprentices in his role as Head Chef at Time and Space, the restaurant at the Royal Institution of Great Britain. Previously homeless ex-Servicemen and women are introduced into a working environment through the apprenticeship scheme. The apprentices work towards a Level 2 NVQ catering qualification that will enable them to work in that industry.

Meanwhile, both HRH Prince Charles and Hammersmith & Fulham's MP Greg Hands have visited Pryor's Bank to see the excellent work going on there and we look forward to the next generation of apprentices graduating and entering the catering industry. This is a real milestone in their journey from social exclusion to regular and fulfilling employment. There are now plans to develop further apprenticeships in new industry sectors.